Bilateral Flaps Research Articles

Reconstruction of Broad Lower Lip Defects Using Karapandzic-Type Flaps.

Reconstruction of lower lip defects is challenging because of the functional and aesthetic demands of the lower face. We review the functional and aesthetic outcomes of the Karapandzic-type flaps for reconstructing lower lip defects. A retrospective review of patients who underwent repair using Karapandzic-type flaps. Fifty patients with lower lip defects ranging from 20% to 95% (mean 59.2% ± 20%) were included. Eighteen patients (36%) were repaired using a bilateral flap, and 32 (64%) were reconstructed using a unilateral flap design. All patients had preservation of oral competency and a satisfactory aesthetic result. No patient complained of microstomia. A complication rate of 8% was noted ( n = 4) with postoperative wound infection and small areas of dehiscence. There was no statistically significant difference in complication rates in patients older than 75 years, in patients with a history of head/neck radiation, or in defects greater than 70% of lower lip breadth. Karapandzic-type flaps are versatile and reliable for the reconstruction of a broad range of lower lip defects. This one-stage procedure can produce superior functional and aesthetic results as compared with other local and distant flaps with minimal risk of functional microstomia.

Consistent Reconstruction of Sacrococcygeal Pressure Ulcers using Modification of En Bloc Sliding Gluteus Maximus Myocutaneous Flap Technique

Background: The en bloc sliding gluteus maximus myocutaneous flap was introduced to preserve the vasculature, muscular integrity, sensory innervation, and normal gluteal contour with a midline scar in sacrococcygeal pressure ulcer reconstruction. However, its critical disadvantages include incomplete detachment of the origin of the gluteus maximus and central tension of the closed wound due to round ulcer excision. Therefore, we reviewed the surgical anatomy and applied modifications to achieve sufficient flap mobilization and to decrease complications.Methods: After fusiform or rocket-shaped ulcer excision, submuscular flap elevation was initiated by completely detaching the origin of the gluteus maximus, including the posterior iliac crest, followed by comprehensive lateral submuscular dissection in the gluteal space while preserving the neurovascular pedicles. Bony protrusions were tangentially resected from the lower sacrum and upper coccyx. After en bloc medial advancement of the bilateral flaps, defects were closed in layers, with muscle ligament fixation at the midline.Results: Twenty-nine patients underwent surgery for sacrococcygeal pressure ulcers (primary, n=22; recurrent, n=7). Transverse width of the excised ulcers was 5–12 cm (final defect, 7–15 cm). During the follow-up period (6 months to 7 years), no early postoperative complications or late aesthetic or functional discomfort occurred; however, intermittent skin sloughing occurred in four cases and one coccygeal sore recurrence occurred. The recurrent ulcer was treated using the same surgical method, with no recurrence after 2 years.Conclusion: This modification can be successfully used for the reconstruction of primary and recurrent sacrococcygeal pressure ulcers.

Septal perforation

Aim: This study isolates septal perforations due to nasal surgery for clinical analysis and their effect on bilateral mucosal flap repair. Methods: This is a retrospective review of a single surgeon’s 20-year experience with endonasal perforation repair utilizing bilateral mucosal advancement flaps supported with an autologous tissue interposition graft. Patients with a minimum of 4-month postoperative follow-up were included in the study. Comparative analyses of repair failure rates and perforation size of failures between surgical and non-surgical etiologies were performed. Results: Three hundred ninety-two patients met the criteria for inclusion in the study. The incidence of perforation and prior septal surgery was 40.6%. Overall repair closure in patients with a minimum of 4 months follow-up was 94.8%. Failures were noted in 5.7% of surgical and 4.7% of non-surgical perforation etiologies (P = 0.816). Mean differences in perforation length and height in failed repairs between non-surgical and surgical etiologies (19.4 vs. 13.7 and 15.5 vs. 9.3 mm, respectively) were significant (P = 0.048 length, P = 0.006 height). Conclusion: Post-surgical nasal septal perforations can be repaired with a low rate of failure. However, this study found that the size of perforations in failed repairs was significantly smaller in patients with a history of septal surgery, suggesting that prior septal surgery increases the technical difficulty of a bilateral flap perforation repair.

Outcome of Perforator Based VY Advancement Fasciocutaneous Flap for Sacral Pressure Sore Reconstruction

Background: Pressure sores are an ancient medical problem; were even found in autopsies of Egyptian mummies. Sacral pressure sore is more common among paraplegic and bedridden patients. The principle of treatment is excision of all dead & devitalized tissue including scars, underlying bursa, and the involved bone, followed by durable coverage with Flap. Various flaps have been used to reconstruct the pressure sore, including Fasciocutaneous flaps, muscle flaps and free flaps. Among various local flaps, perforators based V-Y advancement fasciocutaneous flap is a reasonable and flexible option with good outcomes for sacral pressure sores reconstruction. Objectives: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the outcome of perforator based V-Y advancement fasciocutaneous flap for sacral pressure sores reconstruction concerning the sociodemographic characteristics of the patients, defect size, and outcome of surgery. Methods: This was a prospective observational study, conducted in the Burn & Plastic Surgery department of Rangpur Medical College Hospital, Rangpur over a period of three years from August 2018 to September 2021 through purposive sampling. Patients of all ages and sexes having grade IV sacral pressure sores were included in this study. In all cases, perforator- based V-Y advancement fasciocutaneous flaps were used. Surgical technique, patient demographics, and outcome were evaluated. Results: A total of 30 patients were operated on. The age range was 18 – 65 years, among them 43.33% of patients were in the age range of 31 – 40 years. 80% of patients in this series were male. Traumatic paraplegia was the main cause of sacral pressure sore, and it was 70%. This study showed that in context to the length and breadth of the wound, a majority (30%) of the patients had a wound dimension of 71–90cm2. The smallest wound dimension was (5x6) = 30cm2 and largest wound dimension was (10x16) = 160cm2. Twenty-one sores that ranged from 6cm to 10cm were reconstructed with unilateral flaps and 09 sores that ranged from 11cm to 16cm were reconstructed with bilateral flaps. In this study, 06 (20%) patients had complications and all were managed conservatively. Three patients had infections and were treated according to the culture sensitivity report. Two patients had marginal flap necrosis at the vertical limb of Y which healed conservatively. One patient developed a seroma due to a blockage of the drain tube, which was resolved spontaneously. There was no flap loss in our study. The average follow-up period was one year. No recurrence of pressure sore during this period. Conclusion: The simplicity of the surgical procedure, minimum or no morbidity in the donor area, and satisfactory outcome in terms of recurrence make this a reasonable option for the reconstruction of the sacral pressure sore. J Rang Med Col. September 2023; Vol. 8, No. 2: 20-24

Application of bilateral facial perforator artery flap in repairing large area defect in middle and lower part of nose

To investigate the feasibility and effectiveness of bilateral facial perforator artery flap in repairing large area defect in middle and lower part of nose. The clinical data of 18 patients with large area defect in middle and lower part of nose repaired by bilateral facial perforator artery flap between January 2019 and December 2022 were retrospectively analyzed. Among them, there were 13 males and 5 females, the age ranged from 43 to 81 years, with an average of 63 years. There were 3 cases of nasal trauma, 4 cases of basal cell carcinoma, 8 cases of squamous cell carcinoma, 1 case of lymphoma, and 2 cases of large area solar keratosis. The size of the defect ranged from 3.0 cm×3.0 cm to 4.5 cm×4.0 cm; the size of unilateral flap ranged from 3.0 cm×1.3 cm to 3.5 cm×2.0 cm, and the size of bilateral flaps ranged from 3.3 cm×2.6 cm to 4.5 cm×4.0 cm. One patient developed skin flap necrosis after operation, and a frontal skin flap was used to repair the wound; 1 case gradually improved after removing some sutures due to venous congestion in the skin flap, and the wound healing was delayed after dressing change; the remaining 16 cases of bilateral facial perforator artery flaps survived well and all wounds healed by first intention, without any "cat ear" malformation. All 18 patients had first intention healing in the donor area, leaving linear scars without obvious scar hyperplasia, and no facial organ displacement. All patients were followed up 3-12 months, with an average of 6 months. Due to the appropriate thickness of the flap, none of the 18 patients underwent secondary flap thinning surgery. All flaps had good blood circulation, similar texture and color to surrounding tissues, symmetrical bilateral nasolabial sulcus, and high patient satisfaction. The bilateral facial perforator artery flaps for repairing large area defect in middle and lower part of nose can achieve good appearance and function, and the operation is relatively simple, with high patient satisfaction.

THU524 Combination Of Mustardé Cheek Advancement Flap And Paramedian Forehead Flap As A Reconstructive Option In Basal Cell Carcinoma Of The Nose: A Functional And Aesthetic Alternative

Abstract Disclosure: A.P. Solis Pazmiño: None. C. Rocha: None. E. Pilatuna: None. R. Godoy: None. C. Garcia: None. Background: Defects resulting from the surgical procedure due to basal cell carcinoma (BCC) may be challenging to reconstruct depending on the size and location. In moderate to large-sized defects, especially in face lesions, a combination of more than one type of flap might be necessary. We present a patient with a large BCC in the nasal region which was successfully closed using a combination of rotation and advancement flaps. The patient showed excellent functional and cosmetic outcomes. Clinical Case: An elderly woman presented to our center with a five-year history of a persistent nasal vestibular lesion. It was treated with multiple cauterizations without a total improvement, until then. There was no associated pain, bleeding, or drainage. She denied family history, risk factors, or systemic diseases associated with this skin pathology. Physical examination revealed a 4 cm x 3 cm desquamated plaque with multiple pustules and a small deep ulcered area on the left nasal vestibule and overlying telangiectasia. A skin biopsy confirmed the clinical suspicion that this patient had nodular basal cell carcinoma (BCC), also known as rodent ulcer. The patient underwent surgery and we sent an intraoperative frozen section (IFS), 6 margins were taken in 10 mm strips each, and two of the seven tissue samples were reported positive. Made do with a double scalpel blade numbered by segments following clockwise order.Meanwhile, the defect reconstruction was done after histopathological examination confirmed tumor-free margins. A local skin flap, a paramedian forehead flap, transferred full-thickness skin and subcutaneous tissue into the surgical defect, which maintained the local blood supply via a vascular pedicle that remained connected to the donor site. Then, the advancement bilateral flap (Mustardé) was slid into the defect where the incisions were made tangentially to the defect to free neighboring tissue, with the wound edge acting as the free margin of the flap. Finally, for the frontal opening graft tissue, we used a pressure dressing on cutaneous grafts using a gauze wad (Brown Curative). Clinical lessons: This case exposes basal cell carcinoma (BCC), the most common skin malignancy with a predilection on sun-exposed areas such as the face. The surgical technical selected was a combination of skin flap techniques such as paramedian forehead flap, and the cheek rotational (Mustardé) flap showed excellent functional and cosmetic outcomes. Also, the oncological accepted margins depend on the risk group and the tumor size. For primary well-demarcated BCCs smaller than 2 cm, in the low-risk group, a safety margin of 3 mm gives satisfactory results. Presentation: Thursday, June 15, 2023

Surgical treatment of sacral pressure injury in ambulating patients during the COVID-19 pandemic: A prospective cohort with complications analysis and elaboration of a surgical treatment protocol

The sudden increase of intensive care unit patients during the coronavirus pandemic led to an increase in the incidence of sacral pressure lesions. Despite being ambulating patients, in many cases the lesions were deep (Grade III and IV), mainly due to the long-term intubation and being bedridden during the pandemic. Most of these wounds necessitated surgical repair. To measure the success and the rate of complications in reconstructions of grade III and IV hospital acquired sacral pressure lesions in ambulating patients after hospitalization for COVID-19. Developing a well-established protocol for surgical treatment of hospital acquired sacral pressure lesions during the COVID-19 pandemic. Prospective cohort involving ambulating patients with grades III and IV sacral pressure lesions developed after hospitalization for COVID-19 from May 2020 to August 2020 (4 months). All of them were submitted to reconstruction with fasciocutaneous flaps. Demographics, comorbidities, and preoperative laboratory tests were compared and multivariable-adjusted logistic regression was made in order to identify risk factors for complications. Thirty-eight patients were submitted to fasciocutaneous flaps to repair sacral pressure lesions with a total complication rate of 36.0%. Hemoglobin levels lower than 9.0mg/dl (p=0,01), leukocyte levels higher than 11.000/mm3 (p=0,1), and C Reactive protein levels higher than 142mg/dl (p=0,06) at the time of reconstruction and bilateral flaps were independent factors for complications. Specific preoperative laboratory tests and surgical techniques were associated with a statistically significant increased complication risk. It was established a protocol for surgical treatment of hospital-acquired sacral pressure lesions to diminish these risks, focusing on ambulating patients during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Autologous Interposition Grafts for Mucosal Flap Septal Perforation Repair.

Background: Nasal septal perforation repair is commonly attempted utilizing bilateral nasal mucosal flaps supported with an interposition graft. Objectives: To compare the failure rates for bilateral flap repairs utilizing four different autologous interposition grafts. Methods: This is a retrospective review of a single surgeon's bilateral flap perforation repairs supported with an autologous interposition graft. Study inclusion over the 18-year review period required at least one examination 1 month after surgery. Repair failure rates were calculated and compared for each graft type, and logistic regression was performed for multivariate analysis. Results: For the 356 study patients, median (range) age was 51 years (14-81) and 63.0% were women. Mean (range) perforation length was 13.9 mm (1-45). Median (range) at last follow-up was 11.2 months (1-192). Graft types used (percentage of patients and failure rate) were temporalis fascia (58.7/4.4), septal cartilage (23.3/7.3), auricular perichondrium (13.8/4.1), and septal bone (4.2/6.7) (p > 0.05). Conclusion: There was no significant difference in bilateral mucosal flap perforation repair failure rate when either a temporalis fascia, septal cartilage, auricular perichondrium, or septal bone interposition graft was used.

Increased Production of Abdominal Donor Site Fluid Following Microsurgical Breast Reconstruction With Superficial Inferior Epigastric Artery Versus Deep Inferior Epigastric Artery Perforator Flaps.

Introduction and aims Donor site seroma following abdominal flap harvest for breast reconstruction is common in both deep inferior epigastric artery perforator (DIEP) and superficial inferior epigastric artery (SIEA) flaps. We tested the hypothesis that there is increased donor site fluid following SIEA dissection compared to DIEP. Materials and methods Of60 SIEA breast reconstructions performed by one surgeon in 50 patients (2004-2019), complete data were available for 31 patients. Eighteen unilateral SIEAs were matched with 18 unilateral DIEPs. Thirteen bilateral flap harvests involving an SIEA were matched with 13 bilateral DIEP controls. Their cumulative abdominal drain outputs, times to drain removal, hospital stay, and number and volume of seroma aspirations were compared. Results Patients who underwent an SIEA flap harvest had significantly increased drain output compared to only a DIEP flap harvest (SIEA=1,078 mL, DIEP=500 mL, p<0.001), which remained significant after controlling for confounding variables (p=0.002). There was increased time until drain removal (SIEA=11 days, DIEP=6 days, p=0.010), and patients who underwent an SIEA harvest were 14 times more likely to be discharged with a drain in situ (odds ratio (OR)=14.6, 95% confidence interval (CI)=2.8203-75.9565, p=0.0014). There was no significant difference in the number or volume of outpatient aspirations, length of hospital admission, or total seroma volume. Conclusion This study demonstrated that SIEA harvest is a significant predictor of increased abdominal drain output postoperatively. This accounted for longer periods before drain removal and more patients discharged with an abdominal drain in situ and should be an important consideration for reconstructive surgeons. There was no demonstrable difference in the number or volume of seroma aspirations after drain removal for either group.

D119. Propeller Buccal Myomucosal Flap: Anatomical Study and Preliminary Experience in 25 Primary Cleft Palate Reconstructions

PURPOSE: Buccal artery myomucosal (BAMM) flap has been well-described for cleft palate reconstruction. However, anatomic analysis and application of a completely islanded propeller flap have not been reported in the literature. METHODS: Anatomical study was performed using Indocyanine green, red and blue latex injected directly into the buccal pedicle of 22 fresh hemifacial cadavers. Then, clinical analysis of the senior authors’ (BBG, AR) experience with 25 consecutive primary cleft palate reconstructions utilizing a propeller islanded BAMM flap was conducted to assess palatal healing and flap outcomes. RESULTS: Mean buccal artery diameter was 0.95±0.29mm. Neurovascular pedicle entered the flap 11.38±2.87mm anterior to the pterygomandibular raphe. Buccal artery advanced inside the flap as much as 66.8%±6.0% of the total flap length. All reconstructions were performed using Furlow palatoplasty. 36 flaps were utilized in 25 patients (mean age 478d). The mean maximum cleft width was 11.7 mm. Mean BAMM flap width was 1.2 cm and 11 cases utilized bilateral flaps. The flap always reached the contralateral pillar and the buccal nerve was always preserved. Mean follow-up was 400 days. There were 2/36 flap loss. In both flap losses, pedicles were aggressively dissected. 4/36 flaps underwent revision for flap debulking. CONCLUSION: This study shows that the buccal pedicle is the main blood supply to the flap and this modification allows preservation of the sensory innervation. The contralateral pillar could always be reached improving the traditional advancement and inset. Traditional extensive propeller flap dissection should be avoided in these neonates to avoid vascular compromise.

Superior preservation of capillaries, myofibrils and mitochondria after long-term extracorporeal perfusion of free muscle flaps - A descriptive electron microscopy study.

Extracorporeal perfusion (ECP) is a promising technique for prolonged tissue preservation, but might have side effects. For instance, increased radical oxygen species or capillary endothelial damage. To assess ultra-morphological muscle damage during 36-hour ECP of porcine musculocutaneous flaps, hypothesizing that it would delay the onset of damage compared to static cold storage (SCS). Bilateral flaps were retrieved from three Dutch Landrace pigs. Three flaps were preserved for 36 hours by hypothermic storage 4-6°C (control group) and three flaps by ECP with cooled University of Wisconsin solution. Muscle biopsies were taken at 0 h, 12 h and 36 h and assessed with transmission electron microscopy. Muscle architecture was best preserved by ECP, with a delayed onset and decreased severity of muscle damage. After 36 hours, damage was two-fold lower in ECP-flaps compared to SCS-flaps. Myofibril architecture was best preserved. Mitochondria were greatly preserved with swelling being the most prominent feature. Capillaries were moderately but differently damaged during ECP, with focal endothelial thinning as opposed to luminal obstruction in SCS-preserved flaps. This experiment described favourable cellular preservation of skeletal muscle flaps during ECP compared to SCS. Results showed less severe ultra-morphological damage and a later onset of damage.

Symmetry breaking of a closed flexible filament behind a rigid plate at low Reynolds numbers

In this paper, the motion modes transition and dynamic performance of the flow past a rigid–flexible coupling system were investigated at low Reynolds numbers. The coupling system consisted of a rigid plate and a trailing closed flexible filament and was simulated numerically using the immersed boundary method. According to whether the filament moves and the symmetry of its movement, six motion modes have been identified for different filament lengths and Reynolds numbers (Re), i.e., the symmetric and stationary mode, the asymmetric and stationary (AS) mode, the regular and unilateral flap (RUF) mode, the transition motion (TM) mode, the symmetric and bilateral flap mode, and the asymmetric and bilateral flap (ABF) mode. Moreover, symmetry breaking occurred in the AS mode, RUF mode, and ABF mode. Drag reduction was found at Re≥40, which was mainly influenced by the pressure behind the filament. However, drag reduction was weakened for the filament with Lr≥2.57 because of the large width suffered to the flow, where Lr is the ratio of the length of the filament to the width of the plate. The time-averaged lift was also found to be directly dependent on the symmetry of the filament. In addition, the motion modes were significantly affected by the bending coefficient of the filament. Symmetry breaking was prevented by the reduction of the bending coefficient before vortex shedding. Moreover, if the filament was symmetric before vortex shedding, the RUF mode and the TM mode did not appear with the increase in Re.

DIEP flap in breast reconstruction: A morbidity study of bilateral versus unilateral reconstruction

The Deep Inferior Epigastric Perforator (DIEP) flap is a modality in breast reconstruction of choice. Despite its well-documented benefits and complications, a lack of evidence remains with regards to the risks of performing a bilateral versus a unilateral reconstruction. As such, we sought to compare the rates of adverse outcomes in the perioperative and postoperative periods associated with a unilateral versus a bilateral DIEP flap breast reconstruction. A retrospective cohort study of 178 consecutive patients undergoing unilateral versus. bilateral deep inferior epigastric perforator flap breast reconstruction was performed at our tertiary care center over a 3-year period. Data on demographics, operative time, intraoperative and postoperative complications, and surgical re-exploration, were extracted for both groups. Statistical analysis was performed on a per-flap basis. A total of 157 unilateral and 42 bilateral deep inferior epigastric perforator flaps were identified. The rate of intra-operative complications was 12.1% for unilateral versus. 4.8% for bilateral flaps (P=0.26). Total post-operative complications rates were 30.6% for unilateral versus 54.7% for bilateral flaps (P=0.003). Surgical re-exploration was performed in 12.7% of unilateral and 11.9% of bilateral cases (P=0.88). The rate of total flap loss was similar between types of reconstruction, occurring in 2.5% of unilateral vs. 2.4% of bilateral flaps (P=1). This study demonstrates the rate of complications per flap is significantly higher in bilateral versus unilateral deep inferior epigastric perforator flap breast reconstruction. Bilateral DIEP breast reconstruction should be decided on a case-by-case basis. Prognostic/Risk Study, Level II.

Factors Affecting the Complication Rate of Septoplasty: Analysis of 1,506 Consecutive Cases of Single Surgeon.

Based on the analysis of a single surgeon's consecutive cases, we present the incidence of septoplasty complications and factors that contribute to the increased risk of complications. We retrospectively reviewed the medical records from 1,506 patients diagnosed with deviated nasal septum who underwent septoplasty by a single surgeon from January 2003 until May 2020. The incidence of different complications was investigated. Predisposing factors for specific complications were examined with univariate analysis. The average age of patients was 35 (11-76) years. Out of 1,506 patients, 1,252 were male, and 254 were female. The most frequent complication was insufficient correction (78 cases, 5.2%), and revision septoplasty was performed in 21 cases. We also reported 59 (3.9%), 55 (3.7%), 33 (2.2%), 20 (1.3%), and 18 (1.2%) cases of olfactory dysfunction, hematoma, synechia, abscess, and septal mucosal defect, respectively. Additionally, there were nine (0.6%), six (0.4%), five (0.3%), four (0.3%), and four (0.3%) cases of septal perforation, postoperative bleeding, saddle nose, chondritis, empty nose syndrome, respectively. The proportion of insufficient correction was higher in revision cases than in primary cases. Hematoma formation, abscess formation, and septal mucosal defect occurred more frequently in the bilateral flap elevation group. Olfactory dysfunction was significantly more frequent when the bony batten was inserted, while hematoma, abscess formation, and septal mucosal defect were more frequent when the cartilage batten was used. Septoplasty was associated with the risk of several complications, while complication rates were influenced by choice of surgical techniques and approaches.

Low Donor Site Morbidity Supports the Use of Infraumbilical Flaps for Head and Neck Reconstruction: A Retrospective Cohort Study

Background: Currently, the standard design of the skin component of abdominal soft-tissue flaps recommended for head and neck reconstruction encompasses the upper and lower periumbilical region to include the maximum number of myocutaneous perforators. Yet, this flap design precludes the harvest of bilateral flaps and the use of the contralateral area in case of flap failure. Aim: We aimed at proving the long-term safety of infraumbilical abdominal free flaps in terms of abdominal wall integrity. Methods: Consecutive subjects who underwent reconstruction of composite cervico-facial defects with infraumbilical free flaps between 2008 - 2020 were enrolled. After surgery, patients were followed up at three-month intervals to evaluate the incidence of any complications at the donor site. Results: 25 patients underwent reconstruction with free flaps from the lower abdomen. A total of 35 abdominal flaps were performed; ten patients underwent bilateral flap harvest. Marginal abdominal skin necrosis occurred in 3 patients. Abdominal bulge occurred in one case; neither hernia nor abdominal wall weakness was encountered at a median follow-up of 12 months. Conclusions: The infraumbilical region is a safe donor area of free flaps for head and neck reconstruction that preserves abdominal wall firmness and provides a satisfactory cosmetic result at the donor site.

8653 Technique for Cosmetic Closure of the Umbilicus during Single Site Laparoscopy

<h3>Study Objective</h3> This presentation demonstrates a novel technique to ensure cosmetic closure of the umbilicus during single-site laparoscopy. Single-site laparoscopy has grown in popularity as it leaves a single abdominal scar that can be hidden within the umbilicus. However, usual closure technique is often not sufficient to optimize the appearance for patients. <h3>Design</h3> Instructional Video. <h3>Setting</h3> Tertiary care center outside of a major city in the United States. <h3>Patients or Participants</h3> Patients presenting for single-site laparoscopic gynecologic surgery. <h3>Interventions</h3> Abdominal entry is performed using Hassan technique through a single vertical skin incision extending just superior and inferior to the umbilical edges. After the procedure is complete, the fascia is closed with a single running 0 polyglactin suture. The skin is undermined to create bilateral flaps and redundant tissue is trimmed. The fascia is grasped by a Kocher clamp and two throws of a 2-0 polyglactin suture on a non-cutting needle are driven through one skin edge, through the fascia and through the opposite skin edge to recreate the umbilical base. The sutures are tied down in sequence, and the remaining skin is reapproximated with several interrupted, inverted 3-0 polyglactin sutures on a cutting needle. Using this method, the final incision is under 3 centimeters and the natural depth of the umbilicus is recreated. The incision is cleaned and dressed with petroleum gauze, an eye patch, and an occlusive dressing with excess air removed with an empty syringe. <h3>Measurements and Main Results</h3> At 6 weeks after surgery the incision is hardly visible, and the reconstructed umbilicus resembles its natural pre-operative appearance. <h3>Conclusion</h3> When single-site laparoscopy is performed, cosmesis can be optimized by using a specialized technique to reconstruct the umbilicus.

Total Vaginal Reconstruction with Bilateral Obturator Fasciocutaneous Flaps

INTRODUCTION: Total vaginal reconstruction remains a surgical challenge requiring a reliable, well-vascularized, sensate, flexible tube of adequate dimensions that resists contracture. We developed the obturator fasciocutaneous flaps to accomplish these goals. METHODS: Eleven patients underwent complete vaginal reconstruction with bilateral obturator flaps. A proximal medial thigh paddle was incised beginning at the anterior apex of the flap over the adductor longus muscle. The flap was mobilized on its septocutaneous pedicle between the gracilis and adductor longus muscles which carries cutaneous branches of the obturator artery and nerve (Figure). The anterior fascia of the gracilis muscle was included in the flap pedicle. The flap was transferred into the vaginal defect through a subcutaneous and subfascial dissected tunnel between the vaginal defect and the base of the obturator flap. Bilateral flaps were coapted to form a neovagina.RESULTS: The following 2 patients illustrate the procedure. Patient A is a 26-year-old woman presenting with congenital absence of the vagina. Two weeks before obturator flap transfer bilateral flaps were thinned and allowed to heal in place. Patient A experienced no postoperative complications and became sexually active 8 weeks after reconstruction without pain. Patient B is a 40-year-old woman presenting with squamous dysplasia of the vagina. She was treated with a vaginectomy and immediate reconstruction with bilateral obturator flaps. Patient B experienced no postoperative complications and regained painless sexual function. CONCLUSION: Bilateral obturator flaps for total vaginal reconstruction are a reliable reconstruction technique for a variety of indications and provide functionally and cosmetically acceptable repair.

V-Y Rotation Advancement Flap for Sacral Sore: Experiences at Rajshahi

Grade III and Grade IV sacral pressure sores are required surgical closure. The gluteal fascio-cutaneous rotation advancement flap with V-Y closure was performed in our hospital on 50 cases of sacral sore from 2017 to 2019. The largest defects closed with a unilateral flap were up to 14 cm, and a bilateral flap needed to close 15-22 cm in diameter. In 1.5 to 24 months of follow-up time, none of the patients developed wound dehiscence or flap necrosis requiring repeated surgery. The V-Y rotation advancement flap technique is simple, can be performed quickly, has minimal associated morbidity, and has a good outcome. Furthermore, we can use the same flap design in recurrent cases.&#x0D; TAJ 2022; 35: No-1: 33-38

Continuous Interstitial Glucose Measurement for Flap Venous Occlusion Monitoring in a Diabetic Model.

Glucose has been used in the monitoring of transplanted flaps. However, few studies have focused on the effect of diabetes on the decrease in flap glucose levels. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the application of continuous interstitial glucose monitoring to detect flap venous occlusion in a diabetic rat model. The flap interstitial glucose level was measured by transcutaneous sensors in the bilateral vertical rectus abdominis myocutaneous flaps of each rat. interstitial glucose values in the bilateral flaps were recorded every 5 minutes after the venous occlusion of 1 flap. Forty-one rats were divided into the control group (n = 13), diabetic group (n = 15, established by the intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin), and insulin-treated diabetic group (n = 13, systemic glucose well controlled by insulin before surgery). Results indicated that flap interstitial glucose decreased to the lowest level in all flaps with venous occlusion. The time from venous occlusionto the lowest interstitial glucose level was significantlylongerinthe diabetic group than the control group (120.8 ± 5.7 minutes versus 56.5 ± 6.7 min-minutes, P < 0.001), but was similar in the insulin-treated diabetic and control groups (56.5 ± 6.7 minutes versus 56.0 ± 6.6 minutes, P = 0.876). The change in interstitial glucose in both the diabetic and insulin-treated diabetic groups began with a plateau period or a slow decline before decreasing for 49.0 ± 6.4 minutes and 24.4 ± 4.3 min-minutes, respectively. in a diabetic rat model, impaired glucose metabolism prolongs the required monitoring time and dulls the reaction of flap interstitial glucose to venous congestion. Insulin restores the prolonged monitoring time, but not the reaction of flap interstitial glucose. Therefore, care is needed during application of the technique in diabetic patients.

Ex Vivo Machine Thrombolysis Reduces Rethrombosis Rates in Salvaged Thrombosed Myocutaneous Flaps in Swine.

There is a risk for thrombotic complications (2 to 5 percent) associated with microsurgical reconstruction. Current thrombolytic therapy has a salvage rate between 60 and 70 percent, but it is afflicted by bleeding complications (2 to 6 percent). The use of machine perfusion for delivering thrombolytic agents is a new method that could potentially reduce these complications. In this article, the authors compared flap salvage outcomes comparing machine thrombolysis versus a manual flush with tissue plasminogen activator. Sixteen bilateral flaps (12 × 9 cm) were dissected from eight female Dutch Landrace pigs (70 kg). Thrombosis was induced in free rectus abdominis flaps by clamping the pedicle's veins for 2 hours. Flaps were either thrombolysed with 2 mg tissue plasminogen activator (1 mg/ml) during 2 hours of machine perfusion (perfusion group; n = 8) or injected intraarterially (manual group; n = 8) before replantation. Near-infrared fluorescence angiography was used to confirm thrombus formation and to assess tissue perfusion; muscle biopsy specimens were analyzed for ischemia/reperfusion injury directly after thrombolysis and 15 hours after replantation. A higher incidence of secondary thrombosis was seen in the manual group compared to the perfusion group ( n = 6 versus n = 0, respectively; p < 0.001), resulting in two complete flap failures. Fifteen hours after replantation, mean fluorescence intensities were 13.0 (95 percent CI, 10.1 to 15.8) and 24.6 (95 percent CI, 22.0 to 27.2) in the perfusion and manual group, respectively ( p < 0.001), and mean muscle injury scores were comparable, measuring 7.5 ± 1.5. Two hours of machine thrombolysis of compromised flaps in a porcine model showed higher salvage rates compared to a manual injection with tissue plasminogen activator and reduced the incidence of secondary thrombosis. Using machine perfusion systems for ex vivo thrombolysis provides the benefits of local treatment of a composite tissue without the risk of systemic complications and may improve salvage rates and reduce the incidence of secondary thrombosis.